Downton Abbey star Nathalie Baye has died aged 77 after a battle with dementia.
The multi-Cesar Award winner passed away at her home in Paris on Friday, her family told French news agency AFP.
Ms Baye portrays Madame de Montmirail in the 2022 feature film, Downton Abbey: A New Era.
In the blockbuster film, her character is a French aristocrat whose husband’s past connection to the Dowager Countess, played by the late Maggie Smith, sets in motion a central mystery involving an inherited villa in the South of France.
The actress also starred in Steven Spielberg’s Catch Me if You Can alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and appeared in more than 80 films across her distinguished career.
Her condition is understood to have worsened since the summer of 2025 as she fought against Lewy body dementia.
Ms Baye won the César Award, the French equivalent of the Oscars, four times, including two for Best Actress and two for Best Supporting Actress.
As one of the most decorated French actresses, she has received 10 nominations for Best Actress throughout her distinguished career, which began in the 1970’s.
Downton Abbey star Nathalie Baye has died aged 77 after a battle with dementia
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She burst onto the scene after first achieving fame with François Truffaut’s 1973 film Day for Night.
The 77-year-old was recognised for her role in Every Man for Himself, Strange Affair, and La Balance.
Out of the spotlight, the actress was in a relationship with the late French rock star Johnny Hallyday.
The pair shared a daughter, actress Laura Smet.
Ms Baye portrays Madame de Montmirail in the 2022 feature film, Downton Abbey: A New Era
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GETTY
The multi-Cesar Award winner passed away at her home in Paris on Friday, her family told French news agency AFP
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GETTY